About 1,600 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members walked off the job on Thursday in the municipality east of Toronto, and the union had recommended the offer be rejected.

One of the main sticking points in negotiations involves benefits such as sick leave.

The workers on strike include those providing child care, income support, court services, public health inspections and traffic operations. Paramedics are also represented by the union, but are required to keep working to provide essential services.

The workers last contract expired March 31.

Six of the region’s child-care centres were closed during the strike including: